Vaporizer



1953 w. H. GORDON, JR, ET AL 2,847,548

VAPORIZER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1957 1958 w. H. GORDON, JR, ETAL 2,847,548

VAPORIZER United States Patent VAPORIZER Walter H. Gordon, Jr., andRobert A. Wise, Asheboro,

N. C., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New YorkApplication May 28, 1957, Serial No. 662,256

11 Claims. (Cl. 21938) porizer with a liquid container of substantialvolume and which has a liquid inlet structure limiting the amount ofliquid entering the vaporization chamber.

A further object of this invention is to providea vaporizer havinglimited communication between the large volume of the liquid reservoiror container and the relatively small volume of liquid in thevaporization chamber.

In carrying out the objects of our invention in one formthereof, aliquid vaporizer includes a sealed liquidvesselof substantial capacity,with a container defining a steam vaporization chamber disposed withinthe liquid A heating element is mounted within the vavessel. porizationchamber. The outer wall of the container is formed to define an inletchamber, which in turn communicates with an internal liquid passageway.An inlet port into the vaporization chamber is provided from thispassageway, displaced however, a substantial distance from the inletchamber. Thus, a substantial labyrinth is provided between the outerliquid supply vessel and the inner vaporization chamber. Liquid level inthe vaporization chamber is controlled by the admission of air into thesealed liquid supply vessel. further aspect of the invention, the airport opens into the inlet chamber for discharge of air into the outervessel at a level corresponding to the desired liquid level in thevaporization chamber.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds, and the features of novelty whichcharacterize our invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation taken along line 1--1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along line 2- -2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of a control circuit that may be, used withthis vaporizer;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view, partially in section,illustrating components of the vaporization chamber;

Fig. 5 is an inverted perspective view of a portion of one of thecomponents shown by Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective of the component shown by Fig. 5 from adifferent direction.

The vaporizer constituting the subject matter of this application is animprovement over the vaporizer disclosed and claimed in a separateapplication, Serial No. 662,255, filed concurrently herewith in the nameof Walter H.

In accordance with a Gordon, Jr., entitled Vaporizer with SteamGenerator.

Referring to the drawing, we have shown an embodiment of our inventionwherein the vaporizer includes a vessel 1 of substantial volume; forexample, one gallon. With such a large quantityv of water, however, itis desirable to provide a means for vaporizing the liquid which avoidsheating the entire quantity of liquid in vessel 1 to the boiling point.Therefore, for this purpose, we have provided a vaporization chamber 2adapted to be positioned within vessel 1. Within chamber 2 is a heatingelement 3 preferably comprising an electric heater resistor 4 sealedwithin an outer protective sheath 5', with electrical heater resistor 4insulated from the outer sheath 5 in a well known manner.

In the particular form shown, chamber 2 consists of an inner container 6and an outer container 7. separated by an insulating or air space 9. Theinner container 6 of chamber 2 is tubular in shape and closed at thebottom thereof by bottom wall 6a.

at the bottom thereof by a cover member 8. Inner container 6 and outercontainer 7 along with air space 9 provide thermal insulation betweenchamber 2 and the liquid in vessel 1. Closure member 8 is secured toheat+ ing element 3 in any well known manner and as shown is held inplace by a screw 10 which passes through closure member 8, the bottom ofinner container 6 and through a clamp 11, so that the heating element issecured in place. As shown, outer container 7 of chamber 2 includes anoutwardly extending flange 12 adapted to rest on the upper edge ofvessel 1. Preferably, an appropriate sealing gasket 13 is interposedbetween flange 12 and the upper edge of vessel 1. The seal is eifected'by a clamping ring 14 secured to container '7 in any well known manner.

As shown in Fig. 1, a cover member 15 for outer shell 7 is provided withan extension 16 at one side thereof extending member 16 and flange 17form a housing mem-- ber for'the control components of the vaporizer.

During operation of this vaporizer, liquid within the chamber 2 will beat the vaporization temperature, while liquid in the storage vessel 1preferably remains near room temperature. With such a temperaturedifferential, there is a substantial tendency for convection currents toestablish continuous communication and flow between the outer vessel andthe vaporization chamber, whereby in due course the entire quantity ofliquid in vessel 1 is heated to a substantial degree. In accordance withthis invention, means are provided to materially restrict liquidcirculation between the vaporization chamber and the outer storagevessel, while permitting inlet flow into the vaporization chamber inaccordance with demand.

The nature of this inlet system is shown most clearly by Figs. 4 through6. As shown, the inner shell 6 for the vaporization chamber is adaptedto be positioned within the bottom closure or cap 8, and typically, abottom wall' 6a may complete the enclosure of the inner shell 6. Theonly opening into this inner shell is the restricted aperture 24, asshown in both Figs. 1 and 4. The outer shell 7 of the vaporizationchamber encircling shell 6 is maintained in spaced relationship by aninternal annular flange Outer container 7 of chamber 2 consists of atubular member and is closed adapted to be received within the lower endof outer shell 7. Annular wall 20, as shown clearly by Fig. 4, isprovided with a slot 22 to receive the walls defining the liquid inletchamber of the outer shell and with a second slot 23 adapted to bealigned with inlet aperture 24 in the inner shell 6. This annular wallof the closure cap is spaced slightly from the inside wall of the outershell, thus to define an annular liquid passage 21 through whichincoming liquid may flow from slots 25 of the inlet chamber and througha substantial arc to slot 23 of the closure cap 8 and through inletaperture or port in the inner shell. Thus, a labyrinth is provided forthe incoming liquid from outer vessel 1 into the vaporization chamber.

This liquid supply system depends upon entry of air into outer vessel 1to replace the liquid vaporized in the vaporization chamber. Air port 27opening into the inlet chamber in the outer container has been providedfor this purpose, and its conical shape facilitates passage of airbubbles from the annular air space 9 downwardly through aperture 27 intothe outer vessel. It may be noted also that air port 27 opens into theupper portion of the inlet chamber, while grooves 25 communicate fromthe lower part of this chamber.

To fill the vaporizer with liquid prior to operation, the completevaporization chamber assembly is removed. After vessel 1 has been filledto the proper level with liquid, the vaporization chamber assembly isinserted in vessel 1. While the complete vaporizer is being assembled,very little liquid will flow through grooves 25, around chamber 21 andthrough openings 23 and 24 into chamber 2. This is due to theconfiguration of the openings and channels communicating from vessel 1to chamher 2. Very little water flows through air inlet 27 duringassembly due to the restricted nature of inlet 27. When the vaporizerhas been completely assembled and the proper seal between the vessel 1and flange 12 has been established, a small amount of liquid flows intochamber 2 creating a partial vacuum within vessel 1 above the liquidlevel which limits entry of more liquid into chamber 2. The liquid flowsinto chamber 2 until it reaches a level slightly below that leveldefined by edge 26. The presence of air bubbles in port 27 prevents thewater from ever rising in chamber 2 to a level defined by edge 26, When,due to vaporization, the liquid level in chamber 2 falls to a levelbelow that previously defined, air is allowed to pass downwardly throughthe air space 9, port 27, and then bubbles into vessel 1. The downwardlydiverging walls of port 27 facilitate transfer of air bubbles into theouter vessel. This entry of air into vessel 1 increases the pressureupon the liquid in vessel 1 and allows the liquid in chamber 2 to againrise to the level previously described. At no time during operation ofthe vaporizer will the liquid rise above that level, and therefore itcan be seen that only a small amount of liquid will be allowed to bepresent in the vaporization chamber at any one time so that vaporizationoccurs almost instantly when the vaporizer is placed into operation, andcontinues at a nearly steady rate until the liquid in vessel 1 falls solow that no more liquid enters chamber 2.

Air port 27 has been made with downwardly diverging walls to facilitatepassage of air bubbles from air space 9 to container 1. The top of port27 is small to restrict water flow through port 27 from container 1 tothe air space during assembly. It should be understood that port 27 canbe made uniform throughout its length but we prefer to construct it inthe manner shown to reduce the possibility that an air bubble wouldremain in the bottom thereof preventing further air from enteringcontainer 1, and thereby stopping liquid from entering chamber 2. Itshould also be understood that the water level in chamber 2 could bemade to reach a level defined by edge 26. By enlarging the bottom ofport 27 the water level in chamber 2 can be made to approach edge. 26and actually be defined by edge 26.

In order to take advantage of full possibilities of the use of such avaporizer, cover 15 is adapted to receive a medicament cup 28 having anopening 29 through which vapor passes from chamber 2 to the outsideatmosphere. When this medicament cup is used, any suitable medicamentcan be placed in it so that vapor passing over it will carry thevaporized medicament throughout the room in which the vaporizer is beingused.

The control shown in Fig. 3 may be used with this vaporizer although itforms no part of this invention but constitutes the subject matter of aseparate application, Serial No. 652,254 filed concurrently herewith inthe names of George C. Crowley, Walter H. Gordon, Ir., and Robert A.Wise, entitled Vaporizer Steam Dry Control, assigned to General ElectricCompany, assignee of the instant application. In the control circuitshown, heater resistor 4 is made from material which has a positivetemperature coeflicient of resistance and is connected in series circuitrelationship with a relay coil 30. An on" button 31 is provided toenergize the circuit by closing relay contacts 32 and 33 whichconstitute a switch for the circuit. When the circuit is energized, core34 will hold armature 35 down so as to keep contacts 32 and 33 closed.The relay consisting of coil 30 and core 34 is a current type relay.When the vaporizer boils dry, heater resistor 4 increases in temperatureand therefore, its resistance increases. The increase in resistancereduces the current flowing through the circuit, and because the relayis the current type, this reduction in current flowing through the coilpermits armature 35 to move away from core 34. Consequently, contacts 32and 33 open the circuit. Also, an ofi button 36 is provided which can beused to manually open contacts 32 and 33 at any time desired.

While we have shown and described a specific embodiment of ourinvention, we do not desire our invention to be limited to theparticular construction shown and described, and we intend by theappended claims to cover all modifications coming within the true spiritand scope of our invention.

What we claim :as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. A vaporizer comprising: a liquid vessel; an inner container defininga vaporization chamber within said vessel; a heating element within saidchamber; an outer container surrounding said chamber and enclosing aninsulating space between said containers; sealing means between saidouter container and said vessel; an aperture through said outercontainer adjacent the bottom thereof providing an air inlet for saidvessel; a liquid passage; and a liquid inlet through said innercontainer angularly displaced from said aperture and in communicationwith said passage.

2. In a vaporizer including a liquid vessel; innerand outer containersseparated by an air space, said inner container defining a vaporizationchamber within said vessel; a heater element within said chamber and aseal between said outer container and said vessel; means providingliquid communication from said vessel into said vaporization chamber,said means comprising an inlet chamber formed in the wall of said outercontainer adjacent the bottom thereof; an air inlet opening into the topof said chamber through which air may pass into said vessel; a liquidinlet through walls defining said inlet chamber; a liquid passagewaydefined by walls of said inner and outer containers; and an inletthrough said inner container spaced angularly from said inlet chamber.

3. A vaporizer comprising: a liquid vessel; inner and outer containersdefining a vaporization chamber within said vessel; thermal insulationbetween said vessel and said chamber; aheating element within saidchamber; sealing means between said vessel and said outer container; aninlet chamber formed in said outer container adjacent the bottom thereofproviding an air inlet for said vessel and a liquid passage; and aliquid inlet through said inner container in communication with saidpassage; said air inlet defining the operating liquid level in saidinner container.

4. A vaporizer comprising: a liquid vessel; a steam chamber within saidvessel defined by inner and outer containers; a heating element withinsaid inner container; thermal insulation between said inner and outercontainers; sealing means between said vessel and said outer container;an inlet chamber formed in said outer container adjacent the bottomthereof providing an air inlet for said vessel and a liquid passage,said air inlet positioned adjacent the top of said inlet chamber beingsmall and opening divergingly downward, said liquid passage positionedadjacent the bottom of said inlet chamber; and a liquid inlet throughsaid inner container angularly displaced from said aperture and incommunication with said passage.

5. A vaporizer comprising: a liquid vessel; an inner container defininga vaporization chamber within said vessel; a heating element within saidchamber; an outer container surrounding said chamber and enclosing aninsulating space therebetween; an aperture through said outer containeradjacent the bottom thereof providing an air inlet for said vesselopening divergingly downward; and a liquid passage, said inlet beingabove said passage; and a liquid inlet through said inner container incommunication with said passage.

6. A vaporizer comprising a liquid vessel; an inner container sealedwithin said vessel and defining a vaporization chamber; heating meanswithin said chamber for converting the liquid to vapor; means definingan enclosed annular passage adjacent the lower portion of saidcontainer; "an inlet chamber having restricted communication with saidannular passage; and a port providing communication from said annularpassage into said vaporization chamber, said port being angularlydisplaced from said inlet chamber.

7. A vaporizer comprising a liquid vessel; an inner container sealedwithin said vessel and defining a vaporization chamber; heating meanswithin said chamber for converting the liquid to vapor; means definingan en closed annular passage adjacent the lower portion of saidcontainer; an inlet chamber having restricted communication with saidannular passage and providing an air inlet into said liquid vessel; anda port providing communication from said annular passage into saidvaporization chamber, said port being angularly displaced from saidinlet chamber.

8. A vaporizer comprising a liquid vessel; an inner container sealedwithin said vessel and defining a vaporization chamber; heating meanswithin said chamber for converting the liquid to vapor; means definingan enclosed annular passage adjacent the lower portion of saidcontainer; an inlet chamber having restricted communication with saidannular passage and providing an air inlet into said liquid vessel, saidair inlet opening through the top wall of said inlet chamber; and a portproviding communication from said annular passage into said vaporizationchamber, said port being angularly displaced from said inlet chamber.

9. A vaporizer comprising a liquid vessel; an inner container sealedwithin said vessel and defining a vaporization chamber; heating meanswithin said chamber for converting the liquid to vapor; means definingan enclosed annular passage adjacent the lower portion of saidcontainer; an inlet chamber having restricted communication With saidannular passage and providing an air inlet into said liquid vessel, saidair inlet opening through the top wall of said inlet chamber and beingdefined by walls converging inwardly and upwardly to a restrictedaperture; and a port providing communication from said annular passageinto said vaporization chamber, said port being angularly displaced fromsaid inlet chamber.

10. A vaporizer comprising: a liquid vessel; an inner container sealedwithin said vessel and defining a vaporization chamber; insulating meansbetween said chamber and said vessel; heating means within said chamberfor converting the liquid to vapor; means defining an enclosed annularpassage adjacent the lower portion of said container; an inlet chamberhaving restricted communication with said annular passage; and a portproviding communication from said annular passage into said vaporizationchamber, said port being angularly displaced from said inlet chamber.

11. In a vaporizer including a liquid vessel; inner and outer containersseparated by an air space; a closure member for the bottom of said outercontainer having an upstanding annular well, said inner containerdefining a vaporization chamber within said vessel; a heater elementwithin said chamber and a seal between said outer container and saidvessel; means providing liquid communication from said vessel into saidvaporization cham ber, said means comprising an inlet chamber formed inthe wall of said outer container adjacent the bottom thereof; an airinlet opening into the top of said chamber through which air may passinto said vessel; a liquid inlet through walls defining said inletchamber; a liquid passage defined by the walls of said outer containerand said closure member; and an inlet through said inner containerspaced angularly from said inlet chamber.

Hanks et a1. Oct. 1, 1935 Kuzmin et a1. Nov. 23, 1948

